Welcome to the blog! Crave a refreshing pint of craft beer in Shibuya? Look no further.
This blog post covers craft beer bars in the Shibuya area only. Want to know where to drink craft beer in Shinjuku? Check this blog post out! Craft Beer in Shinjuku
For more information regarding the history of beer in Japan, check this great article out! Click here!
Let’s get to it!
1. Good Beer Faucets
Location: 1-29-1 Shoto, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo CROSSROADS Building 2F
Opening Hours: MON – FRI 12:00PM – 11:00PM, SAT – SUN 12:00PM – 11:00PM
When you bring up craft beer in Shibuya, this will be the first place that springs to mind. The place is an institution, and has been quenching the local’s craft beer thirst since 2011. The layout is nice and friendly with the open space bar design and rustic look of the wooden tables and stools. GBF claim to fame is its beer selection. Which is what you are here for right? With 40 craft beers on tap, 3 guest real ales and a plethora of bottled beer to choose from, you are truly spoilt for choice. The drinks are mostly American and Japanese, and range from yen900 making this bar one of the cheapest on this list. Add the booming TV’s above the bar with Mad Max on repeat, and you’ve got yourself a winner!
2. Mikkeller Craft Beer Shibuya
Location: 2 Chome-19 Dogenzaka, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0043
Opening Hours: MON – FRI 4:00PM–7:30PM, SAT – SUN 12:00PM-7:30PM
“It’s my round next!” said no-one ever in Mikkeller, a trendy craft beer bar in the back streets in the Dog district of Shibuya. A bit off the beaten track, and easy to miss as its hidden amongst Shibuya’s windy back alleys. Look out for a metal bar with a giant metal door, and you are on the right path. The bar itself is always lively thanks to its minimalistic look and great drink selection.
3. Haburashi Beer Bar
Location: 2 Chome-19 Dogenzaka, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0043
Opening Hours: MON-FRI 4:00PM – 7:30PM, SAT–SUN 12:00PM – 7:30PM
A Nordic-themed hideaway, this little gem is hidden up a steep flight of stairs 10 walk from the station. Look for the sign below and you’re golden. Once your there, sit back and enjoy their selection of beers on tap. They also have an extensive collection of bottles from all over the world. The owner will often engage you in random chit chat, whilst a steady stream of regulars drift in and out.
4. Wailele – International Beer Bar
Location: Arai Building 2F, 1-7-8 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: MON CLOSED, TUES – FRI 5:00PM – 9:00PM, SAT – SUN 3:00PM – 9:00PM
Next on the list is a small cosy bar that specialises in delicious craft beer from Hawaii. A 1 minute walk from the west exit of Shibuya Station on the Keio Inokashira Line, Wailele offers 5 taps of American craft beer and a large selection of bottled beer and canned beer. Follow the signs to the second floor and take a seat at the bar. It’s quite a pokey place, and often gets quite full so be prepared to rub shoulders with the locals. Literally. The interior is bright and and welcoming. The owner is often willing to have a chat so it’s a good way to brush up on your Japanese whist sipping away. After all, good beer brings more confidence. Or something along those lines.
5. Øl Tokyo – Craft Beer
Location: 〒150-0042 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Udagawacho, 37−10
Opening Hours: MON – FRI 12:00PM – 9:00PM, SAT – SUN 12:00PM – 9:00PM
OL by Oslo Brewing is a small craft beer bar with a slight bohemian look and feel. Not a bad thing at all! With up to 20 beers on tap available, personal faves include the West Coast IPA, Dream Porter and Oslove passion fruit blonde ale. Make sure to sample some of the tacos from the taco stand permanently parked outside (many say they’re the best in Tokyo), take an outside seat and watch the world go by.
6. The Aldgate – Craft Beer Bar and British Pub
Location: 〒150-0042 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Udagawacho, 30−4 新岩崎ビル
Opening Hours: MON – FRI 5:00PM – 8:00PM, SAT – SUN 3:00PM – 8:00PM
Depending on your opinion of what a stereotypical British pub is, the Aldgate may make or break your evening. Slap bang in the middle of Shibuya, this old-fashioned watering hole can either be heaving with life, or be more subdued. The Aldgate has can be packed to the rafters on weekends, but also a nice place to kick back for a relaxing drink on a quieter mid-week evening. If it’s the craft beer you came for, you won’t be disappointed. Friendly bar staff will help you chose your next tipple by offering samples and recommendations. Being a British bar, Drinks come in UK pints and the owner will be more than happy to partake in any football (soccer for our none-uk readers) related banter.
7. The Griffon
Location: 〒150-0002 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Shibuya, 2 Chome−22−6 B1F 幸和ビル
Opening Hours: MON 6:00PM – 12:00AM, TUES – THURS 6:00PM – 1:00AM, FRI 6:00PM – 5:00AM
SAT 6:00PM – 1:00AM, SUN 6:00PM – 12:00AM
The Griffon is another British pub themed craft beer bar in Shibuya. It is a reasonable size, with seating at the bar or at tables. The selection of beers is quite impressive, offering a nice choice of local Japanese brews as well as international bottled beers. Try and go during happy hour to get 100 yen off specific ales. The food is also surprisingly decent and well-priced. The atmosphere is nice and cosy and always has a friendly vibe. Take a seat at the bar, have a few pints and you’ve have made several new friends in no time. Fun times guaranteed.
8. Craft Beer Gaus
Location: 〒150-0047 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Kamiyamacho, 16−4 ヴィラメトロポリス 2A
Opening Hours: MON 8:00AM – 3:00PM, TUES 8:00AM – 3:00PM; 5:00PM – 9:00PM
WED 8:00AM – 3:00PM; 5: 00PM – 9:00PM, THURS 8 :00AM – 3:00PM; 5:00PM – 9:00PM
FRI 8:00AM – 3:00PM; 5:00PM – 9:00PM, SAT 5:00PM – 9:00PM, SUN 5:00PM – 8:00PM
Next on the list is one that you can easily miss as this craft beer bar is a little bit off the beaten track and the one sign pointing you to the bar is poorly lit and easy to miss. Once you’ve made your way up the stairs to the second floor and found the entrance, you will be glad you did. Best to avoid visiting this place as a part of a large crowd as there are only 20 seats. They do only have 5 craft beers on tap, but they do change regularly and offer a nice mix of IPAs, pale ales and saisons. If you’re struggling to choose, you can always go for the beer flight, which is a selection of 3 of the day’s craft beers.
9. Cider Shack
Location: 〒150-0011 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Higashi, 1 Chome−27−9 奥山ビル 1階
Opening Hours: MON – FRI 5:00PM – 9:00PM, SAT – SUN 2:00PM – 9:00PM
The first of two cider craft beer bars in this list, Cider shack is certainly a must go. An ever-changing cider selection which ranges from apple to pear cider, to hoppy and barrel aged ciders, there is a lot to love here.
10. Cidernaut – Cider Craft Beer Bar
Location: 〒150-0047 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Kamiyamacho, 16−4 堀内ビル 1F
Opening Hours: MON – FRI 12:00PM – 9:00PM, SAT – SUN 12:00PM – 9:00PM
To round off this list, we have our second cider craft beer bar. A new kid on the craft beer scene block in Shibuya, this place only opened in 2020! The owner previously lived in London, so the fish and chips on offer here are as authentic as you are going to get in Tokyo. Perfectly battered with the skin kept on, and served with real chunky British-style chips. But wait, what about the beer I hear you cry! I assure you; you will not be disappointed. Take your pick from the delicious Devon cider, traditional scrumpy or hard cider. Guinness on tap is also available. A word of warning: the ciders range from 6-9 % alcohol content, so they pack a punch!
